He made his acting debut as a muscle-flexing seven year old in a commercial for McDonalds. From there he landed TV roles on shows like The Wonder Years, My Two Dads, and Empty Nest. As a junior higher he starred in the successful feature film, Beethoven, as well as it’s sequel, Beethoven’s 2nd. Currently a senior in high school, he stars as Suzanne Somer’s son, “Mark Foster” on the hit TV sitcom, Step by Step.

Still, it’s the commercial he made for M&M’s candies that’s most memorable for Chris. He explains, “I was in the second grade and I remember I went in there for a two-day commercial.

“I didn’t have any lines or anything. My job was to sit there at this birthday party, look happy and eat M&M’s. I ate M&M’s a lot. I ate M&M’s during the take, in between takes, after takes, all that stuff. The next day, I had hives from eating the M&M’s!”

Then, in what some would call the greatest tragedy of Chris’ young life, he reports, “And to this day, I hate chocolate. I hate chocolate!”

A lack of appreciation for chocolate isn’t the only tragedy Chris Castile has had to deal with though. Like many teenagers, Chris has been forced to adjust to living in a broken home.

When Chris was a sophomore in high school, his mom and dad split up, agreeing to share custody of Chris and his younger sister, Bethany. He explains, “I see my dad (Jon Castile) on Wednesdays and Thursdays. I see my mom (Donna Castile) on Mondays and Tuesdays. And they switch Friday, Saturday, and Sunday every other week. So I see both parents equal.”

These recent changes have been an adjustment for Chris, but one he’s determined to make the best of. “I was kind of depressed and down and upset...after my parents got separated,” Chris admits. “ I was just having self-pity and all that stuff and I wasn’t really talking to God that much. And finally I realized what I’d done. I just kind of shut God out of my life and took matters in my own hands.

“[So], I said, ‘Lord, I know I’ve been a real jerk lately. I think I’m going to let you handle all this stuff. I’m just going to let you do what you need to do.’”

That reliance on his Heavenly Father has long been a part of Chris’ life, beginning when he was still a preschooler. As a three-year-old riding in a car with his mom, Chris noticed the awesomeness of the sky above. For him, that triggered questions about the Creator of that sky. So he turned to Donna Castile and asked simply, “Mom, who’s God?”

After some discussion Chris’ mother then had the privilege of leading her son into a relationship with Jesus—right there in the family car!

Since then, Chris credits both his parents with teaching him what it means to be a Christian and to live according the guiding moral principles of Scripture. As a result, he’s taken a very strong stand for abstinence—something uncommon for a Hollywood actor.

“Safe sex is pretty stupid,” Chris says bluntly. “It’s an oxymoron. Condoms aren’t [always] going to protect you. There’s still that slim chance that you’re going to get that STD. [But] the big issue is moral. You know, God says not to do it. So, just don’t do it. Don’t do it until you’re married. I know for sure I’m going to save myself for the one I marry and I’m not going to make any stupid mistakes.”

For Chris, not making stupid mistakes also includes avoiding the temptation to experiment with drugs. Commenting on the pitfalls associated with a Hollywood lifestyle, he says, “Drugs is a big one, because there’s a lot of drugs going around. But I think it’s wrong, so I just keep myself away from that.”

Acknowledging the influence peers can have on negative behavior, Chris adds, “[I also] stay around with my own friends [who don’t do drugs]. ‘Cause, I know my mom said this to me before. ‘You are who you hang out with.’”

Since he’s benefited from the good advice of his parents, Chris is happy to return the favor and offer a bit of advice for today’s parents of teenagers as well. “Don’t be afraid to discipline your kids,” he says with feeling. “I see a lot of parents that [don’t discipline], and sometimes, I’m thinking, ‘Heck. Spank the kid. The kid’s a brat!’

“ I got my share of spankings when I was a little kid,” he laughs. “And when I said something stupid, I got soap in my mouth. Those sorts of little punishments remind you not to do that again! For parents, it’s [important] not to be afraid to discipline and to set boundaries for your kids.”

Such wise advice, it’s too bad Chris’ parents can’t go back in time and use it during the filming of a life-changing M&M’s candies commercial...

Full name: 

Christopher Jon Castile.

Nickname: 

Lear Jet. (My friends think I’m going to buy a Lear jet soon and become a pilot.)

School: 

Usually, I’ll go one day a week to normal high school, and then when I’m at work, we have a tutor there.

Favorite Sports Team: 

Miami Dolphins. (I’m a huge Dan Marino fan.)

Hidden Talent: 

I make incredible spaghetti al dente. (Perfect pasta. Not too soft, not too hard.)

Private Passion: 

Golf.

First Date: 

Went to see Disney's 101 Dalmatians with a girl named Allison.

Dream College: 

Wake Forest in North Carolina.

Dream Product Endorsement: 

Golf balls!

Favorite Christian Music Group: 

dc Talk. (Their old rap music, not the new alternative style.)

Favorite Bible Verse: 

Philippians 3:8.

Ten Years From Now...: 

I’m going to be a pilot for United Airlines and a professional golfer!